Start the Conversation Around Organ Donation this DonateLife Week
Port Macquarie lung transplant recipient Marty Sheehan had already begun organising his own funeral when he was told a donor had been found. The former electrician had pulmonary fibrosis caused by workplace exposure to asbestos, and his health was failing fast. Not surprisingly, Marty is now a strong advocate for people registering to donate their
Port Macquarie-Hastings Plans Homelessness Week Activities
‘Everybody needs a home’ is the theme of this year’s Homelessness Week, which takes place from 2-8 August. The Port Macquarie-Hastings Homelessness Committee has organised a series of events and activities to highlight the plight of homeless people. The committee aims to raise enough money to provide lockers in Port Macquarie for local people without
Free Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Treatment Online for People in Nimbin, Casino, Kyogle
The Buttery is offering a free four-week online program to help people with alcohol and other drug issues, without needing to join a residential program. This time around, the program is especially focused on helping people in Nimbin, Kyogle, Casino and the surrounding areas. In response to COVID-19, The Buttery has adapted its popular Community
Testing Times: Mobile Respiratory Clinic Hits the Road
A new mobile testing clinic will make it easier for Northern NSW residents to get tested for COVID-19. Getting tested for COVID-19 is one of the key tools in the fight against transmission of the virus, ensuring any cases in the community can be identified quickly. The new mobile clinic will visit Evans Head between
NSW Health Launches ‘Respect Your Brain’ Videos
NSW Health has launched a series of new videos about drugs and alcohol and the effect they have on a young person’s developing brain. The three short animated videos illustrate the effects of alcohol, MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis. Their tagline is ‘Respect Your Brain’. The videos aim to provide credible, accessible and relevant information. Their
Heart Foundation Walking Groups Stepping Out Again
Dust off your walking shoes, Heart Foundation Walking groups have recommenced on the North Coast following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The walking groups are a great way for people to exercise regularly, create new social networks and look after their physical and mental health. Everyone participating will need to keep 1.5 metres apart, practise
New Program Helps Older Carers Navigate NDIS
Carers NSW is running a new program to help older carers understand the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how to best use it.
Research Study on NDIS Disability Services
Do you know someone with a physical disability who receives services under the NDIS in rural Australia? The University of Newcastle is conducting a research project examining the experiences of people who receive services under the NDIS who reside in a rural area. The research team is hoping to conduct an interview, either face to
Community First Aid Training Helping to Save Lives
Healthy North Coast is helping to save lives by funding a regional community first aid training program through the Healthy Towns initiative. In fact, it was only a day after a first aid training course at South Lismore Bowling Club that the course’s value was highlighted, says Pulsestart Training Solutions managing director Suzie Howell. A
Life Changing Results as Ever Better Bunch Tap Into Healthy Towns
There’s a common refrain when talking to members of Woolgoolga’s Ever Better Bunch. It starts with ‘I didn’t think the gym was for me…’ and is followed closely by ‘…but this has changed my life’. The Ever Better Bunch is a group of eight blokes aged from their mid 40s through to 60s who are
Men’s Shed Goes Online
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) has launched a website to help men stay connected online. The move follows the closure of Men’s Sheds across Australia due to COVID-19. The site aims to help men connect in the same way they do in the shed – over a cuppa and having a laugh. It’s a
Healthy Towns Transport Funding is Just What the Doctor Ordered
For Casino resident Peter Hunt, the funding to keep Richmond Valley Volunteer Health Transport (RVVHT) on the road is truly a matter of life and death. Peter uses the community transport service to travel to Lismore’s St Vincent Hospital for life-saving renal dialysis three days a week. Funding for the service is provided by Healthy
